The Sound of Music
by Georgetown Palace Theatre
May. 21 - May. 23 (2023)
The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.
Director: Tracy Arnold
Music Director: David Blackburn
Choreographer: Evelyn Joy Hoelscher
Initial Auditions for The Georgetown Palace’s production of Sound of Music will take place from May 21-23, 2023. The production is scheduled to open on Friday, August 18, 2023 and close on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin on Monday, June 26, 2023.
This show is going to be a lot of fun to bring to life. The ensemble is critical to this show and is going to be busy. Singing, dancing, and playing some featured characters. Come play with the Palace, and help us close out the season with an amazing production!
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
We are looking for talented and diverse performers of all ethnicities for all roles. We are looking for children aged 6 and up for the Von Trapp children and 18 and up for all other roles.
Character descriptions can be found at Sound of Music Descriptions for more specific information regarding the people that populate this piece.
Actors of all ethnicities and gender identities are encouraged to audition. In reference to the character descriptions below—most characters we encounter currently are in the binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns and you will see that in the following descriptions. But however limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities. Let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide (from language developed by Kevin Kantor and Emily Tarquin from the Actors Theatre of Louisville)
THE AUDITIONS:
Primary auditions will consist of a singing audition on Sunday, May 21 with a required dance call for all auditioners on Monday, May 22 Callbacks will be held on the evening of Tuesday, May 23.
Vocal auditions start at 6:00 PM on Sunday, May 21 on the Springer Stage. This initial audition will consist of one selected vocal side from the show. Please choose one side from below to perform for your initial audition. Two MP3 files (one with the vocal line; one with piano accompaniment only) and a PDF of the sheet music are available for all music audition sides. The “instrumental” track will be used for your audition.
SISTERS BERTHE, MARGARETTA, SOPHIA
VON TRAPP CHILDREN (minus Leisl)
The dance audition on Monday, May 22 will be from 7:00 PM- 10:00 PM on the Springer Stage and will consist of a general dance call. Please come in comfortable clothes (probably not jeans) and appropriate shoes – jazz or character Shoes are preferred but tennis shoes are acceptable as well. All roles will participate in some capacity during musical numbers, so all auditioners are required to attend.
- If you are auditioning for a children’s role, please arrive for the dance call on Monday at 7 pm.
If you are auditioning for any adult role (ensemble or main character), please arrive for the dance call on Monday at 8:30 pm
CALLBACKS:
Callbacks will take place on Tuesday, May 23 by invitation only from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM on the Springer Stage. Callbacks will be posted on the Georgetown Palace website as soon as possible after initial auditions are completed, and an email will be sent to all audition participants at the time of posting. Specific reading sides and cuts of songs will be provided for callbacks for all characters. A link to this material will be provided in the email.
Audition sign ups can be found HERE
If none of the auditions times listed works for your schedule, please fill out the form and add yourself to the waiting list. Send productions@georgetownpalace.com an email, and we’ll arrange an alternate audition time.
When signing up for an audition slot please note any conflicts during the rehearsal or performance dates. Please note: conflicts do not necessarily negate the opportunity to be cast, but we must know about them up front to factor that into the casting decisions. Barring emergencies, additional conflicts added/disclosed after casting could result in dismissal from the production. Sunday rehearsals will only be planned for tech rehearsals immediately prior to opening, but please include Sunday afternoon conflicts for the rehearsal period so that in the event a Saturday must be canceled due to cast conflicts we will know whether a reschedule on Sunday is an option. Adding all of your conflicts after casting could result in removal of the production.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals begin Monday, June 26. Scripts and scores will be available at the first rehearsal. But those offered roles will receive a link to a digital copy. Rehearsals will typically be held Monday-Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Sunday afternoon will only be an option in the event a Saturday must be canceled due to cast conflicts.
PERFORMANCES:
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p, and Sundays at 2 p. Sometimes ticket demand causes us to add Saturday Matinee performances at 2 p.
**Please note the second Saturday of performances will be an ASL night
CASTING:
Once casting is completed (typically 2-3 days after callbacks), emails will be sent to the actors that will be offered a role in the production. Once the full cast has accepted, everyone else who auditioned will be notified via email.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS:
Everyone should self-monitor for symptoms and stay home if they do not feel well. You should also wear a mask if you have direct exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and get tested on the 5th day following the exposure.
We’re constantly monitoring and evaluating our policies and will update them based on guidance from the CDC.
The Georgetown Palace Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment in which all community members feel a sense of belonging and does not discriminate in casting practices on the basis of an individual’s ethnicity, age, gender, physical and cognitive ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, country of origin, or other factors. We strongly encourage candidates of all ages, abilities, gender, and ethnicities to audition.
Please see our operating standards at the following link: Georgetown Palace Operating Standards
Everyone involved with the production must submit to a background check at the Palace’s expense. If you are cast, you will receive a secure link where you can fill it out. There is no cost to you.
The Georgetown Palace Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization. There is no compensation for any of the actors at this time.
If you have any questions, please email productions@georgetownpalace.com.
